Sky has launched an entry-level option for new customers wanting to try out Sky’s internet-based TV service via Sky Glass or Sky Stream.
- Sky Essential bundles TV, Netflix and Discovery+
- 100 channels available including Sky Atlantic
- Many Sky entertainment channels missing from the package.
Sky has announced the re-launch of its new Sky Essential TV pack, giving new customers a taste of Sky from £15 a month (£18 on a rolling monthly contract).
The entry level TV bundle includes all the main UK free-to-view channels in HD, plus Sky Atlantic, Netflix (Standard with Ads) and Discovery+ (Standard).
In total, over 100 channels are available. Together with the streaming apps, viewers can access shows including The Day of the Jackal, Squid Game and Stranger Things all in one place.
The service is exclusively available to new customers signing up to Sky’s internet-based TV service, which is delivered through Sky Glass TVs and the Sky Stream puck (to plug in to existing TVs).
But subscribers hoping to access the full set of Sky services will still need to upgrade to Sky Ultimate TV, which costs an extra £7 a month.
▶ Overview
Sky Essential TV
£15 a month on 24 month contract; £18 on a rolling one month contract.
What’s included?
Sky Essential TV includes Sky Atlantic, Netflix Standard with Ads and Discovery+, as well as free to air channels like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News and Sky Arts.
Sky Ultimate TV
£22 a month on 24 month contract; £25 on a rolling one month contract
What’s included?
Everything in Sky Essential, plus access to the full set of Sky’s entertainment pay TV channels including Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, U&Gold, U&alibi, NatGeo and Comedy Central.
Access to Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and/or Sky Kids costs extra. Add-on fees apply for UHD and Dolby Atmos. Sky Glass TVs cost extra, starting from £14 a month on a 48 month contract.
Sky Essentials is only available to new customers.
Analysis: Sky Déjà vu?
Sky previously offered customers access to an entry-level service called TV Essentials for satellite TV reception. It originally provided access to all free-to-air satellite TV channels, plus a limited amount of catch-up TV on a Sky Q box.
The new pack that’s been launched today is basically a similar product, but via its internet-based TV platform and with the addition of Sky Atlantic. Sky also once launched a discounted ‘Essential’ broadband internet service.
Dare to commit?
Sky Essential also makes the most of Sky Atlantic, the channel once launched as the “home of HBO”. It’s the only major premium channel to be included on Sky Essentials. And it’s only one year before the content deal with HBO-owner Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) comes to an end. Anyone committing to a 24 month contract needs to know that some of the Sky Atlantic shows included on Sky Essentials might not be available after 12 months. This is dependant on what terms Sky and WBD reach by the end of 2025.
At that point, Discovery+ is also set to be replaced by streaming service Max in the UK. Max will incorporate many of HBO’s shows previously screened on Sky Atlantic. The service will also include the current Discovery+ content library.
Corporate comment
Ben Case, Managing Director Sky TV, said:
“We’re excited to share our world-class TV experience with even more people, at an everyday low price with Sky Essential TV. Our new TV pack makes it easier than ever to get the biggest and best shows from Sky, Netflix and discovery+ all in one place, just in time for the Christmas TV season.”
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Sky | Updated: 17:58